HS2 Phase 2a - 27 days to petition the Government
Today is a crucial landmark in the development of HS2. Landowners, property owners, organisations and businesses who will be directly affected by Phase 2a of HS2, the route from the West Midlands to Crewe, have potentially until 5pm 26th February to Petition and make their representations to the Government.
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The Second Reading in the Houses of Parliament of the HS2 Phase 2a Bill, (which took place on 30th January 2018), triggered the start of this Petitioning period, which lasts for 27 days only. This has considerable implications as there is only a very short timeframe for land and property owners to put their case and hopefully influence changes in the route or its construction.
Petitioning is the parliamentary process whereby anyone directly affected by a compulsory purchase scheme can submit a statement to ensure that both the Government and HS2 are aware of the impact that HS2 Phase 2a will have on them. Only those who will be directly affected by this phase can Petition but it can be submitted by the individual or by an advisor, such as Knight Frank.
Act fast: Those affected by Phase 2a of HS2 have 25 days to petition
Petitions should explain how HS2 Phase 2a affects the land or property owner and how they believe the scheme should be altered to meet their objections.
Petitions are then considered by a Select Committee and it is usual for all Petitioners to be invited to present their case before the Committee. The Select Committee has the power to amend the Bill.
“By using a Hybrid Bill to promote a scheme which authorises Compulsory Purchase of Land, Petitioning is the only formal procedure for property owners to set out the issues, and often solutions, to the plans presented by HS2” explains Tim Broomhead, Head of Knight Frank’s Compensation Department.
“We are recommending landowners should take up the opportunity of submitting a Petition. Our experience of Phase 1 of HS2 is such that HS2 Ltd will seek, either by a letter of Assurance or Undertaking, to deal with the specific problem."
The Knight Frank Compensation Department can advise on all these matters and negotiate compensation on behalf of affected property and landowners.